Average
#1935 of 2,648 schools in NC
The Oaks Academy
High School · Cherokee County Schools
The Oaks Academy 4700 East US 64 Alternate, Murphy, NC 28906
Enrollment
52
Student-Teacher
6.5:1
Score
5.4
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
52
Student-Teacher
6.5:1
Score
5.4
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Murphy
#10 of 10
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#277 of 579
In district
#11 of 13
Cherokee County Schools
School environment
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About The Oaks Academy
The Oaks Academy in Murphy, North Carolina, is an alternative high school for students in grades 6 through 12. With a small enrollment of just 52 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 6.5:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each student succeed. The Oaks Academy has eight full-time equivalent teachers who work closely with their pupils.
Academically, The Oaks Academy is ranked in the lower percentile among North Carolina schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 out of 10 and an academic score of 1.1 out of 10. On standardized tests, only 16% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while just 10% meet proficiency standards in math. These scores suggest areas for improvement but also highlight the school's focus on student development.
The Oaks Academy is situated in a remote rural area with limited access to nearby amenities and services. Despite this setting, The Oaks Academy strives to provide a supportive environment for its students who may benefit from alternative educational methods or need additional support outside of traditional schooling settings.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 52 students, The Oaks Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 6.5:1, The Oaks Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, The Oaks Academy may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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The Oaks Academy — Students at The Oaks Academy score 9% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
94.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 8 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.0/10.
How The Oaks Academy Compares
See how The Oaks Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 15% (2019) to 5.6% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 15% (2019) to 12.5% (2025).
Location
The Oaks Academy 4700 East US 64 Alternate, Murphy, NC 28906
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering The Oaks Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Murphy High (rated 6.6/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Tri-County Early College High (rated 6.2/10), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Union County High School (rated 5.8/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Blairsville), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Murphy, see our Murphy schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Tri-County Early College High Murphy | 0.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Peachtree Elementary Murphy | 2.2 mi | 9.2 |
| Murphy Middle Murphy | 3.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Murphy High Murphy | 3.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Murphy Elementary Murphy | 3.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Martins Creek Elementary/Mid Murphy | 4.3 mi | 6.1 |
| SHEPHERD ACADEMY Murphy | 4.6 mi | — |
| MURPHY ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Murphy | 5.1 mi | — |
| CAROLINA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hayesville | 8.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Hayesville Middle Hayesville | 8.7 mi | 8.7 |
| Hayesville High Hayesville | 8.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Hayesville Elementary Hayesville | 8.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Hayesville Primary School Hayesville | 9.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Union County High School Blairsville | 12.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Union County Middle School Blairsville | 13.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Union County Elementary School Blairsville | 13.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Union County Primary School Blairsville | 13.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Andrews High Andrews | 12.1 mi | 4.5 |
| Andrews Elementary Andrews | 12.2 mi | 4.3 |
| Andrews Middle Andrews | 13.1 mi | 5.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28906 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$52,669
Median Home Value
$219,800
Median Rent
$872/mo
Population
19,712
College Educated
24.4%
Homeownership
84%
Avg Commute
26.6 min
Poverty Rate
12.4%
Median Age
56.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding The Oaks Academy has a median household income of $52,669. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $219,800, with a median rent of $872/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.4%. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Central Haywood High Waynesville, NC | 5.3 |
| Jackson Community School Sylva, NC | 5.3 |
| Meadowbrook Academy King, NC | 5.3 |
| Middle College Asheville, NC | 5.3 |
| WORD OF GOD FELLOWSHIP Raleigh, NC | 5.3 |
| WORD OF GOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Raleigh, NC | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about The Oaks Academy
What grades does The Oaks Academy serve?
The Oaks Academy serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend The Oaks Academy?
The Oaks Academy has an enrollment of approximately 52 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at The Oaks Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at The Oaks Academy is 6.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does The Oaks Academy rank in NC?
The Oaks Academy is ranked #1935 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is The Oaks Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
The Oaks Academy has a composite rating of 5.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at The Oaks Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, The Oaks Academy has 9.7% math proficiency and 13.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is The Oaks Academy a charter school?
No, The Oaks Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is The Oaks Academy a Title I school?
No, The Oaks Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for The Oaks Academy?
94.2% of students at The Oaks Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Elevated (1,250/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 52
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 6.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 8
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 94.2%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Cherokee County
- Phone
- (828) 837-6775
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Cherokee County Schools- District Enrollment
- 3,108
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,303
- District Rank
- #11 of 13
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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